U.S. President Donald Trump recently toured a new migrant detention center in Florida, humorously dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” During his visit, he quipped that any escapees would need to learn how to dodge the resident reptiles to avoid a grim fate.
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Despite facing criticism for his immigration policies, which many describe as inhumane, President Trump embraced the controversy while attending the center’s official opening in the heart of the Everglades. “A lot of cops in the form of alligators—you don’t have to pay them so much,” he remarked to reporters in Ochopee, Florida. “I wouldn’t want to run through the Everglades for long. It will keep people where they’re supposed to be,” he added, illustrating his point with a tinge of levity.
This facility, located on an abandoned airfield within a conservation area, is projected to cost about $450 million (€384 million) and is designed to house 1,000 individuals, as stated by Florida authorities.
Florida’s Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis, welcomed Trump upon his arrival, emphasizing the intent to “cut through bureaucracy … to get the removal of these illegals done.” Following this, Trump reflected on the idea of escape amidst Florida’s wildlife while departing from the White House. “I guess that’s the concept,” he said, “but remember, if they escape prison, how to run away. Don’t run in a straight line; your chances go up about 1%.”
During a news conference at the site, Trump characterized the recent influx of undocumented migrants as “disgusting” and inaccurately associated many with “sadistic” criminal gangs. While officials from his administration often spotlight violent criminals, it’s important to note that many innocent migrants have also faced repercussions under these stringent policies.
The moniker “Alligator Alcatraz” references the infamous former prison in San Francisco, which Trump recently mentioned wanting to reopen—a plan that has stalled due to impracticalities and high costs associated with its reinstitution, surrounded as it is by treacherous waters.
In response to the facility’s establishment, there have been protests from activists opposing Trump’s immigration policies, with some expressing concerns about its location within a conservation area. The Everglades National Park serves as a critical habitat for approximately 200,000 alligators, some of which can grow up to 15 feet long.
While alligator attacks on humans in Florida are statistically rare—with 453 recorded “unprovoked bite incidents” between 1948 and 2022, resulting in 26 fatalities—the administration has emphasized potential dangers. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “There is only one road leading in, and the only way out is a one-way flight. It is isolated and surrounded by dangerous wildlife and unforgiving terrain.” When asked if the alligators were a “design feature,” she responded: “When you have illegal murderers and rapists and heinous criminals in a detention facility surrounded by alligators, yes, I do think that’s a deterrent for them to try to escape.”
Trump’s visit to “Alligator Alcatraz” coincides with his push for a significant tax and spending bill, aptly named “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which includes funding for his immigration crackdown and additional detention spaces. This deportation initiative is part of a broader strategy to reinforce strict immigration optics, including controversial raids in Los Angeles that have elicited public protest against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.
“In this battle, it’s critical we fortify our approach to secure borders,” Trump has stated, conveying a sense of urgency as he navigates the complex terrain of immigration policy.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
